Festival guide: Food, fun, music and more in Central Texas this fall

Well, we survived another long, hot summer (with a couple of very wet days there near the end). Fall brings a bevy of festivals to Central Texas. Whether you’re looking for live music, fabulous food or just a place to take the family for weekend fun, we’ve got you covered.

Are we missing one? Email cgonzales@statesman.com and we’ll add it to our online list.

SEPTEMBER

Fantastic Fest, Sept. 21-28. The horror, fantasy and sci-fi genre film festival this year features such titles as “Downsizing,” “My Friend Dahmer” and “Gerald’s Game.”

Texas Teen Book Festival, Oct. 7. Young adult authors engage with fans during this one-day event at St. Edward’s University. Marie Lu and Jason Reynolds are the 2017 keynote authors.

Formula One, Oct. 20-22.The U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas track east of Austin and parties downtown draw racing fans from around the world. Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and dozens of local acts will provide music at the track.

Austin Fermentation Festival, Oct. 22. This celebration of all things microbial returns to the Barr Mansion with dozens of fermentation experts who make everything from kombucha and kimchi to beer, wine and cheese.

Texas Clay Festival, Oct. 28-29.The 25th annual festival in the Gruene Historic District of New Braunfels will feature the work of more than 60 Texas clay artists. Demonstrations, from hand-building to wheel-throwing to raku firing, will be held in four tents both days of the event.

Viva La Vida Fest, Oct. 28. Austin’s Day of the Dead festivities celebrate life and those who have departed. The event includes a downtown parade, music, crafts and vendors, organized by the Mexic-Arte Museum.

Austin Margarita Festival, Oct. 28.The classic lime drink will be joined by more than 20 others with a wide range of flavors, including coconut, chocolate, green apple, jalapeño, grapefruit and more, plus wine, beer and other kinds of mixed drinks, live music and margarita-friendly food in the American-Statesman parking lot.

American-Statesman Staff

Creek Show lights up the area along Waller Creek with glowing art. Stephen Spillman for American-Statesman

Wurstfest, Nov. 3-12. The New Braunfels 10-day salute to sausage features food, music and dancing; carnival rides and games; German, Texan and domestic beer; special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian style entertainment. Rain or shine; children 12 and younger are free.

Mariachi USA - Calavera 2017, Nov. 4. Enjoy mariachi music, face painting and folklorico dances at the Austin360 Amphitheater. The stage will be transformed into an altar to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Texas Book Festival, Nov. 4-5.Founded in 1995 by Laura Bush and Mary Margaret Farabee, the Texas Book Festival is one of the largest literary festivals in the country. This year’s featured authors include Dan Rather, Jennifer Egan, Jeffrey Eugenides and more.

Travis Heights Art Trail, Nov. 4-5.During this multimedia community art event, artists in the Travis Heights neighborhood open up their homes and studios to the public free of charge. The area tradition includes a sale by the Travis Heights Elementary School Arts Program.

Creek Show, Nov. 10-18. Austin-based artists and designers build light-based installations to transform the area around Waller Creek in downtown Austin for a family-friendly event.

Sound on Sound Fest, Nov. 10-12.The festival, which debuted in 2016, aims to create a fan-first festival experience, focusing on indie, punk, hip-hop, metal and dance music. This year’s festival will again be held at Sherwood Forest Faire and features the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, Iggy Pop, the Shins and Blood Orange.

East Austin Studio Tour, Nov. 11-12, 18-19.Big Medium’s East Austin Studio Tour is a free, self-guided art event spanning two weekends. East provides opportunities for the public to meet local artists in their creative spaces. More than 500 artists studios, exhibitions, special projects and events are on the schedule this year.